California passes bill allowing homebrew festivals, events

The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) applauds the California State Legislature and Governor Jerry Brown for the passage and signing of Assembly Bill 2609 (AB 2609), a bill to allow homebrewing organizations to host homebrew events in the state.

The new law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2015, affirms the legality of the 37th annual 2015 AHA National Homebrewers Conference — the world’s largest gathering of homebrewers, scheduled for June 11-13 in San Diego — and the upcoming Southern California Homebrewers Festival. Prior to the bill’s passage, both events were in jeopardy of being canceled.

“California has been central to the growth of homebrewing — as a hobby, a business and a community,” said AHA Director Gary Glass. “The passage of AB 2609 provides homebrewers the opportunity to continue innovating, learning and sharing their craft through events organized by homebrewers for homebrewers. We’re thrilled to be able to bring the 2015 National Homebrewers Conference to San Diego.”

Last year, an amendment added to Assembly Bill 1425 (AB1425) was passed and effectively banned homebrewing organizations, including the AHA and the California Homebrewers Association (CHA), from hosting events centered around their favorite hobby. As a result, the 24th annual 2014 CHA Southern California Homebrewers Festival was forced to be canceled.

Additionally, the 2015 AHA National Homebrewers Conference, which had already been slated for San Diego, was at risk of being relocated. Every year, the annual three-day convention brings together thousands of homebrewers and beer enthusiasts from all over the United States. The conference was previously held in San Diego in 2011.

The AHA and CHA mounted a campaign for the passage of AB 2609, with more than 150 individual homebrewers from across California submitting letters to the state government in support of the measure. The bill unanimously passed both the Assembly and Senate.